Magnetically coupled modular sauna

Abstract

Improved, aesthetically appealing enclosure assemblies, such as dry saunas ( 20 ), are provided which eliminate unsightly threaded fasteners and other external connection hardware, while also affording an easy method of construction. The saunas ( 20 ) include a base panel ( 22 ), upright panels ( 24 ) and a top panel ( 26 ) cooperatively defining the sauna enclosure ( 28 ). The interconnection between the upright panels ( 24 ) is achieved through the use of complemental, magnetic coupler bodies ( 70,72,92,94,108,110 ) which are sized and located for direct, face-to-face contact and consequent strong magnetic attraction. The saunas ( 20 ) are equipped with internal far infrared heaters ( 30,32 ) which are likewise magnetically mounted through the use of coupler bodies ( 96 - 100 and 152 - 156 ).

1. A sauna comprising:
 a base panel; 
 a plurality of upright panels extending upwardly from said base panel; 
 a top panel surmounting said upright panels, 
 said panels cooperatively defining a sauna enclosure with an interior sauna chamber; 
 at least one sauna heater operable to heat the sauna enclosure; and 
 connection structure between adjacent ones of said upright panels and including complemental magnetic coupler bodies operable to magnetically interconnect the adjacent panels, 
 said connection structure comprising magnetic coupler bodies carried by each of said upright panels, 
 said magnetic coupler bodies being concealed by the respective adjacent upright panels so as not to be visible from the sauna chamber, 
 said connection structure further including a mechanical connector spanning the joints between adjacent ones of the upright panels, 
 said mechanical connector being concealed by the respective adjacent upright panels so as not to be visible from the sauna chamber. 
 
   
   
     2. The sauna as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 said base panel having a peripheral groove, 
 each of said upright panels presenting a lower end received within said base panel groove. 
 
   
   
     3. The sauna as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 said upright panels including a front panel equipped with a door, a pair of side panels, and a rear panel. 
 
   
   
     4. The sauna as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 said magnetic coupler bodies being located adjacent the side margins of each of said upright panels, with proximal magnetic coupler bodies being magnetically complemental. 
 
   
   
     5. The sauna as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 said at least one sauna heater comprising a far infrared heater. 
 
   
   
     6. The sauna as claimed in  claim 1 ; and
 mounting structure for securing said at least one sauna heater to a corresponding panel, 
 said mounting structure including a magnetic coupling structure operable to magnetically couple said at least one sauna heater to the corresponding panel. 
 
   
   
     7. The sauna as claimed in  claim 6 ,
 said magnetic coupling structure being concealed by said at least one sauna heater and said corresponding panel so as not to be visible from the sauna chamber. 
 
   
   
     8. The sauna as claimed in  claim 7 ,
 said magnetic coupling structure comprising magnetically complemental coupler bodies carried by said at least one sauna heater and the corresponding panel, 
 said coupler bodies being oriented to be proximal when said at least one sauna heater is mounted to the corresponding panel. 
 
   
   
     9. The sauna as claimed in  claim 8 ,
 said magnetic coupler bodies being oriented for direct, face to face contact when said at least one sauna heater is mounted to the corresponding panel. 
 
   
   
     10. The sauna as claimed in  claim 7 ;
 a plurality of said sauna heaters, each being operable to be respectively mounted to one of said upright panels; and 
 mounting structure for each of said sauna heaters comprising magnetic coupling structure for magnetically mounting the heater to the respective one of the upright panels. 
 
   
   
     11. The sauna as claimed in  claim 7 ,
 said corresponding panel including only one of the upright panels. 
 
   
   
     12. The sauna as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 said certain panels presenting adjacent overlapping margins, 
 said magnetic Coupler bodies being located along each of the adjacent margins, with proximal magnetic coupler bodies being magnetically complemental. 
 
   
   
     13. The sauna as claimed in  claim 12 ,
 said magnetic coupler bodies being concealed by said adjacent margins so as not to be visible from the sauna chamber. 
 
   
   
     14. The sauna as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 said upright panels each presenting a top margin with a recess defined therein, 
 said mechanical connector extending into the recesses defined in the top margins of the respective adjacent upright panels. 
 
   
   
     15. The sauna as claimed in  claim 14 ,
 said recesses in adjacent upright panels cooperatively forming a U-shaped slot, 
 said mechanical connector comprising a complemental U-shaped clip operable to be received within said slot.